Nyumbani Village: A Community of Hope, Compassion and Self-Reliance
By Fr. Dominic Mutunga, SJ
Nyumbani Village is an innovative settlement set up in 2006 on a thousand acres of land to tackle the challenges faced by orphans and their elderly grandparents. The village is designed to host 100 family houses (commonly called clusters) and has essential amenities such as primary and secondary schools, a dispensary, a Community Vocational Training Centre (CVTC), an administration block, a resource centre, a guest house, an eco-lodge, a farm, a livestock unit and a police post. Currently, the village is home to 414 children and 60 grandparents – creating a model village aimed at achieving socio-economic sustainability within a communal environment.
The village presents a unique solution to the challenges encountered by two ‘left behind’ generations affected by the HIV pandemic: orphans and the elderly. By fostering an environment where grandparents care for both their own grandchildren and those without grandparents, orphans are afforded the chance to experience family life. Nyumbani Village is a pioneering settlement that integrates local cultural values into its operations and actively empowers the community towards self-reliance.
Over the past 20 years, the village has experienced significant growth. Its primary goal is to foster self-reliance among families by allocating each family half an acre of land and providing access to water. The majority of projects within the village are fully operational, including schools, chaplaincy services, an organic farm, a dispensary, production units, a livestock unit, agroforestry, a guest house, and an eco-tourism center.
The village intends to use the various projects and initiatives as a means of generating income for sustainability of its programs. The Village is headed by a Programs Manager assisted by six Heads of Departments and over 100 members of staff.
COGRI
Vision: Sustainable communities for children infected and affected by the HIV pandemic inspired by Christian compassion.
Mission: To provide high quality comprehensive care and support to HIV infected and affected children, their families, and communities in a sustainable manner.
Core Values:
- Faith in God
All services provided in COGRI will be guided by love and faith in God. We have a trusting acceptance of God’s will in our daily lives.
- Christian Compassion
In solidarity with one another, we enter into one another’s joys and sorrows. We treat all persons with kindness, empathy, understanding, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
- Respect
Recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We treat every person justly regardless of race, gender, creed, economic status, health status, and age.
- Integrity
Show impartiality, fairness, and honesty while upholding the highest ethical standards.
- Professionalism
Maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, and competence among all who serve in our ministry so as to provide a high quality of care to all whom we serve.
- Teamwork
Maintain a workplace that fosters community, respect, the uniqueness of each person, promotes employee participation, and ensures the safety and wellbeing of each person.